The Salamander Spell Read Free

fireplace one winter’s day and burned itself to ashes. Since that day Grassina had kept the toys shut in the chest when she wasn’t there, hoping to keep them out of trouble.
    When Grassina had set both toys on the floor, the doll struggled to climb up her leg while the horse trotted around the room, cantering when it reached the long, open space between the two benches, slowing to a walk as it rounded the leg of the table. It was trotting again when its hoof became wedged between two of the floorboards. The horse grew frantic when it stumbled and couldn’t get loose. Thrashing and screaming, it might have damaged itself if Grassina hadn’t intervened. At first the horse was too frightened for her to touch it, but she calmed it with her voice and gentle hands until it stood still, trembling, and she could pull the hoof free.
    “Poor Hector,” said the doll, running to throw her arms around the horse’s neck. “Are you all right?” she asked.
    “He’s fine, Marniekins,” said Grassina. “Just a little chipped paint.”
    Hector whuffled his lips, then left to investigate the floor under the bench. Grassina was watching him when she heard someone on the ladder. The copper finches twittered as a head appeared over the top rung. It was Chartreuse, visiting the tree house for the first time in years.
    “Princess Chartreuse, is that really you?” squeaked Marniekins. The little doll ran to the princess as fast as her wobbly cloth legs could carry her, falling in a heap when they bent the wrong way. Hector nickered hello and galloped to where Chartreuse stood by the door. On her feet again, Marniekins clambered across the floor to grab hold of the edge of Chartreuse’s gown. “Pick me up!” said the doll.
    Shoving the doll aside with her foot, Chartreuse crossed to the window and peered out, waving at someone below. “I’m surprised to find you here, Grassina. Torrance and I were going for a walk and heard your voice. Aren’t you too old to play with dolls? I’m sure your time would be much better spent learning how to manage a castle or play a musical instrument.”
    Marniekins had tumbled head over heels, landing in a dusty heap under the bench. She sobbed, curling up in a ball, and wrapped her arms around herself. Unable to make tears, her faded cheeks remained dry. Hector tossed his head and snorted at Chartreuse before trotting after Marniekins. He poked the doll with a consoling nose until she rubbed her eyes.
    Grassina glared at Chartreuse. “Now see what you’ve done!” Peering under the bench, Grassina reached for Marniekins. She cradled the doll in her lap, soothing her as best she could. Marniekins whimpered, hiding her face behind Grassina’s hand.
    Upset by the turmoil, the copper finches twittered in agitation while Chartreuse’s birds fluttered madly overhead. When one of the glass birds collided with a copper finch, a glass wing broke off and the bird fell, shattering on the floor. At the sound, Marniekins howled and buried her face in the cloth of Grassina’s gown.
    Chartreuse gave the doll a disgusted look. “Don’t you dare make me out to be a villain,” she said, turning back to Grassina. “They’re just dolls. I climbed that ladder to ask you to stay away from my magic lessons. You ruined my lesson today. I was getting close to making the spell work. The magic was building up inside me; I could feel it! If it hadn’t been for you, today would have been the day we’ve all been waiting for.”
    Grassina glanced up from Marniekins and snorted at the anger on her sister’s face. “I’ve never heard Mother say anything about feeling the magic inside of her. If you felt something, it was probably your breakfast disagreeing with you. And if you’re so sure that your magic is about to show itself, I’m sure one day won’t make any difference. You’ll be able to do the spell tomorrow.”
    “Not if you’re there to distract me! My magic lessons are very important and . .